Spout for flexible pouch with obturator device

ABSTRACT

A spout ( 1 ) for a flexible pouch ( 100 ) for liquid or semi-dense substances, generally for food use, such as fruit juices, yogurt, fruit or vegetable puree and the like. The spout has an obturator device ( 40 ) having a translatable obturator ( 44 ) and elastic device for keeping the obturator closed.

This invention relates to a spout for pouch for liquid or semi-densesubstances, generally for food use, such as fruit juices, yoghurt, fruitor vegetable purées and the like.

In particular, the use of such pouch, for both type of contents andconvenience of use, it is particularly prevalent among children.

To prevent the accidental dropping of the package, for example on asupport surface, causing the unwanted spillage of the contents, someknown solutions of spout for flexible pouch provide a valve deviceinserted into the spout.

However, the use of such spouts with valve device is sometimesuncomfortable or not suitable for the purpose.

In fact, children tend to squeeze out the contents from the pouch bycrushing the flexible container or sucking through the spout and onlysometimes doing the two things together. The drinking spouts with valvedevice of the prior art are sometimes too rigid to allow sucking thecontents without effort, or too unstable, so that the contentsaccidentally escape from the pouch.

The purpose of this invention is to provide a spout for a pouch withvalve device able to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art and meetthe above-mentioned needs.

This purpose is achieved by a spout made according to claim 1.

The characteristics and advantages of the spout according to thisinvention will be apparent from the following description, given by wayof non-limiting example, in accordance with the accompanying figures,wherein:

FIG. 1 is a pouch-spout assembly provided with a spout according to thisinvention;

FIG. 2 shows the spout of FIG. 1, in separate parts, provided with anobturator device comprising valve means according to this invention;

FIG. 3 shows a side view of the spout of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 shows a side view of the table and the adjustable leg of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a plan view from above of the spout of FIG. 3, along thesection line V-V of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 shows a side view of the obturator device of FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 shows a plan view from below of the obturator device of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a section view of the obturator device of FIG. 6, along thesection line V-V of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 shows an enlargement of detail IX in FIG. 8.

With reference to the accompanying figures, 1 generally indicates aspout for a pouch, in particular a spout for a flexible pouch 100.

For example, the flexible pouch 100 consists of two films 102 of amulti-layer material, bonded along the edges.

According to a further embodiment, the pouch provides lateral bellowssides, also typically made with multi-layer film.

The spout 1 extends substantially along a longitudinal axis X andcomprises, from the part that remains inside the pouch 100 to theoutside, an entrance portion 2, a connecting portion 4 and a finalportion 6.

Internally, the spout 1 comprises a conduit 8, usually, of a circularcylindrical shape, that extends along the longitudinal axis X, between amouth 10 of the entrance portion 2 and an opening 12 of the finalportion 6, annularly bounded by a crown 12 a, perpendicular to thelongitudinal axis X.

The connecting portion 4 is preferably formed by a pair of facing walls14, with prevailing extension in the direction perpendicular to thelongitudinal axis X, joined at the ends. These walls form two outwardlyengaging surfaces 16 intended for coupling the films of the pouch 100.

Preferably, the engaging surfaces 16 are joined to the films 102 bybonding, thus forming a pouch-spout assembly.

The final portion 6 comprises a tube 18, which extends along thelongitudinal axis X, coaxial with the conduit 8.

According to an embodiment, the final portion 6 further comprises athreading 20 for screwing a cap 200, realized, for example, by sectionsof interrupted threading.

According to a variant embodiment, the tube is suitable for stablepressure coupling or fitting with a cap.

Preferably, the cap 200 for the spout 1 comprises an outer annular wall202, which surrounds the tube 18 and, for example, is provided withthreading for engagement with the threading 20 of the spout 1.

At one end of the outer annular wall 202, the cap 200 further comprisesa bottom 204 suitable to close the opening 12 and, at the other end, atamper-evident seal 206.

Preferably, moreover, the cap 200 includes an annular sealing lip 208,axially projecting from the bottom 204 and suitable to penetrate intothe tube 18 through the opening 12, to form a seal with the tube 18.

Preferably, the final portion 6 of the spout 1 comprises an engagingportion 22 suitable to engage with the tamper-evident seal 206 of thecap 200, to realize an anti-rotation constraint of said tamper-evidentseal.

An example of embodiment of a spout provided with a cap provided with atamper-evident seal engageable with an engagement portion of the spoutis described in European patent EP 2076448 granted in the name of theApplicant, the description of which is incorporated herein as teaching.

The spout 1 comprises valve means housed in the tube 18 and suitable toprevent the exit of the contents from the pouch when an action acting onsaid valve means is lower than a predetermined action and to allow theexit of the contents when the action acting on said valve means isgreater than a predetermined action.

Said valve means comprise an obturator housing 30 placed in the tube 18,for example in the final portion 6 of the spout 1. For example, theobturator housing 30 is realized by a wall of the annular housing 32,radially projecting internally from the inner surface of the tube 18.Said obturator housing 30 identifies an upward line 30 a in the tube 18in communication with the interior of the pouch 100 through the mouth 10of the spout 1, and a downward line 30 b, in communication with theexternal environment through the opening 12 of the spout 1.

Preferably, said housing wall 32 is made in a single piece with the tube18.

Additionally, the valve means comprise a sensitive obturator device 40,housed in the tube 18, engageable with the obturator housing 30, toclose or open said obturator housing 40 according to said action exertedby the contents.

The obturator device 40 comprises an obturator group sealinglyengageable in the obturator housing 30, comprising an obturator 44, forexample realized by an annular wall, for example provided with an outertruncated-conical surface 44 a that engages with the housing wall 32 bycontact.

Additionally, the obturator group 42 comprises an abutment 46, forexample realized by a plate, suitable to go in abutment to define theclosed position of the obturator 44 with respect to the obturatorhousing 30, for example in abutment with the housing wall 32.

According to a preferred embodiment, the obturator 44 is placed upstreamof the abutment 46 relative to the direction of output of the contents,for example projecting axially from said abutment 46.

In addition, the obturator group 42 comprises a guide body 48 suitableto guide the translation of the obturator 44 with respect to theobturator housing 30.

For example, the guide body 48 is active upstream of the obturator 44,projecting axially with respect to said obturator 44. Preferably, saidguide body 48 projects axially from the abutment 46.

Preferably, the guide body 48 comprises a plurality of tabs 50 extendingradially, ending externally in a guide limit surface 52 radiallyinternal with respect to the outer surface 44 a of the obturator 44 inengagement with the obturator housing 30.

For example, the guide limit surface 52 has a first portion 52 a,axially flanked to the outer surface 44 a, truncated conical and withslope equal to said outer surface 44 a, and a second portion 52 b,axially flanked to the first portion 52 a upstream of this,truncated-conical and with steeper slope steeper than that of the outersurface 44 a.

Preferably, the guide body 48 comprises three tabs 50 angularly equallyspaced.

The obturator device 40 further comprises elastic means suitable tooperate permanently on the obturator group 42 to keep it in a closingposition of the obturator housing 30 by means of a closing action.

According to a preferred embodiment, said elastic means comprise atleast one elongated member 50 that extends axially, for exampledownstream of the obturator group 42, compressible.

For example, the elongated member 50 extends axially from the obturatorgroup 42, for example from the abutment 46, and preferably is wrappedwith a helical trend, for example conical, around the longitudinal axisX. In other words, the elongated element 50 is twisted along thelongitudinal axis X.

Preferably, said elastic means comprise a pair of elongated elements 50,arranged symmetrically with respect to the longitudinal axis X.

According to a preferred embodiment, the longitudinal section of theelongated member 50 (FIG. 9), i.e., the section obtainable through animaginary section plane containing the longitudinal axis X, has apolygonal shape, preferably quadrangular and, in particular,trapezoidal, wherein an outer edge 62 is rectilinear, an inner edge 64is rectilinear and parallel to the outer edge 62, and lower 66 and upper68 edges are rectilinear.

Moreover, each elongated element 50 has an outer surface 50 a (on whichlie the said outer edges 62 of the multiple elongated sections formed bythe elongated element 50 with the imaginary plane) and an inner surface50 b (on which lie the said inner edges 64 of the multiple sectionsformed by the elongated element 50 with the imaginary plane).

Said outer surfaces 50 a lie on a single imaginary conical outersurface; in the same way, said inner surfaces 50 a lie on a singleimaginary conical inner surface.

In addition, preferably, the obturator device 40 comprises an abutmentmember 70 which provides the abutment for the elastic means.

For example, the abutment member is made from a ring, formed in onepiece, for example by moulding, with said elongated elements 50.

Preferably, said abutment member 70 comprises a plurality of safetyprojections 72, radially protruding outwards, suitable to lock abutmentmember 70 inside the tube 18.

Preferably, the obturator device 40 is made in a single piece, forexample by moulding.

In addition, the valve means comprise retaining means for retaining theobturator device 40 inside the tube 18.

For example, said retaining means comprise an annular projection 80, forexample placed in proximity of the opening 12, suitable to produce anundercut for the snap engagement of the abutment 70 in the tube 18. Saidannular projection 80 projects radially internally from the innersurface of the tube 18.

Preferably, said annular projection 80 is made in a single piece withthe tube 18.

For the filling and closing of the packing 100, the packing 100 providedwith the spout 1 without the obturator device 40 is brought to fillingmachines that fill it with the desired contents.

Subsequently, the obturator device 40 is inserted in the tube 18 so thatthe obturator group 42 engages the obturator housing 30; in particular,the obturator 44 closes the obturator housing 30 and the abutment 46abuts with the housing wall 32.

In addition, the abutment element 70 snaps into the undercut withrespect to the annular projection 80, thus remaining locked in the tube18.

Finally, the cap 200 is applied to the tube 18 and screwed to the spout.

In the rest configuration, the obturator 44 sealingly engages theobturator housing 30 and is subject to the closing action exerted by theelastic means, placed in compression between the abutment 46 and theabutment element 70.

During normal use of the flexible pouch 100, the cap 200 is disengagedfrom the drinking spout, for example unscrewed.

If the child intends to drink the contents of the pouch, it brings thetube to its mouth and, for example, sucks the contents. This causes lowpressure in the tube 18, downstream of the obturator 44, which generatesan external opening action on the obturator 44; when such externalaction overcomes the closing action of the elastic means, the obturator44 moves and disengages from the obturator housing 30 (for example,lifts from it), allowing the exit of the contents from the pouch.

Therefore, the obturator device 40 is suitable to disengage from theobturator housing 30 under the influence of an opening action carriedout by a depression acting in the downward line 30 b greater than apredetermined closing action of the elastic means.

Similarly, the child could bring the tube to its mouth and squeeze theflexible pouch. This causes an overpressure in the tube 18, upstream ofthe obturator 44, which generates an internal opening action on theobturator 44; when such internal action overcomes the closing action ofthe elastic means, the obturator 44 disengages from the obturatorhousing 30 (for example, lifts from it), allowing the exit of thecontents from the pouch.

Therefore, the obturator device 40 is suitable to disengage from theobturator housing 30 under the influence of an opening action carriedout by an overpressure acting in the upward line 30 a greater than apredetermined closing action of the elastic means.

Generally, the child could bring the tube to its mouth and such from thetube 18 and, at the same time, squeeze the flexible pouch. In this case,the obturator 44 would be subject both to the external action of the lowpressure and the internal squeezing action.

In the opening configuration, in which the obturator is disengaged fromthe obturator housing, the flow of the contents towards the outside isfirst limited; subsequently, when the obturator has come completely outof the obturator housing, the guide group realizes, through the tabs 50,passage conduits that facilitate the exit of the contents.

The further distancing of the obturator from the obturator housing is,in any case, guided by the guide body, as well as the approach andsubsequent engagement with the obturator housing, when the openingaction ceases.

The flexible pouch could also be overturned, accidentally or accordingto the positions in which the child drinks the contents; in this case,the weight of the contents generates an internal opening action on saidobturator 44; the elastic means are structured and dimensioned such thatthe external action due to the weight of the contents alone is not ableto overcome the closing action exerted by the elastic means.

Innovatively, the spout according to this invention overcomes thedrawbacks of the prior art in that it is particularly comfortable to useboth when the child sucks the contents of the pouch from the spout andwhen it squeezes the pouch.

Advantageously, moreover, the spout is very reliable in operation, sincethe disengagement of the obturator from the obturator housing isproperly guided, as well as the subsequent engagement, also thanks tothe invitation realized by the shape of the outer surface of the tabs.

According to a further advantageous aspect, the spout is safe to usebecause the obturator device is inserted in the tube and is lockedinside by the undercut created by the abutment member with the annularprojections and the safety projections.

Advantageously, moreover, the production of the spout is economicalsince the obturator device is obtainable by moulding.

It is clear that one skilled in the art, in order to meet specificneeds, may make changes to the spout described above, all containedwithin the scope of protection defined by the following claims.

1.-20. (canceled)
 21. A spout for a flexible pouch for liquid orsemi-dense substances, having an opening for exit of contents and aninlet for inlet of the contents from the pouch, the spout comprising: atube extending along a longitudinal axis and provided with the opening;a valve housed in the tube and suitable to prevent exit of the contentswhen an action acting on the valve is lower than a predeterminedresisting action and to allow the exit of the contents when the actionacting on the valve is greater than a predetermined resisting action,wherein the valve comprises: i) a through obturator housing whichidentifies in the tube an upward line accessible through the inlet and adownward line provided with the opening; and ii) an obturator devicecomprising a translatable obturator, engageable with the obturatorhousing, and an elastic member suitable to operate permanently on theobturator to keep the obturator in a closing position of the obturatorhousing by a closing action.
 22. A spout according to claim 21, whereinthe obturator device is suitable to disengage from the obturator housingunder influence of an opening action carried out by a depression actingin the downward line that is greater than a predetermined resistingaction.
 23. A spout according to claim 21, wherein the obturator deviceis suitable to disengage from the obturator housing under influence ofan opening action carried out by an overpressure acting in the upwardline that is greater than a predetermined resisting action.
 24. A spoutaccording to claim 21, wherein the elastic member comprises at least onecompressible elongated member which extends axially.
 25. A spoutaccording to claim 24, wherein the elastic member consists of twoelongated members symmetrical with respect to the longitudinal axis. 26.A spout according to claim 24, wherein the elongated member is twistedalong the longitudinal axis.
 27. A spout according to claim 25, whereinthe elongated member is twisted along the longitudinal axis.
 28. A spoutaccording to claim 27, wherein the elongated member is twisted along thelongitudinal axis.
 29. A spout according to claim 28, wherein alongitudinal section of the elongated member has a trapezoidal shape,wherein an outer edge is rectilinear, an inner edge is rectilinear andparallel to the outer edge, and lower and upper edges are rectilinear.30. A spout according to claim 24, wherein each elongated member has anouter surface and an inner surface and the outer surfaces lie on asingle imaginary outer conical surface and the inner surfaces lie on asingle imaginary inner conical surface.
 31. A spout according to claim21, wherein the obturator device comprises a ledge suitable to definethe closing position of the obturator with respect to the obturatorhousing.
 32. A spout according to claim 21, wherein the obturator devicecomprises a guide body suitable to guide translation of the obturatorwith respect to the obturator housing.
 33. A spout according to claim32, wherein the guide body comprises a plurality of tabs extendingradially, ending externally in a guide limit surface radially internalwith respect to the outer surface of the obturator in engagement withthe obturator housing.
 34. A spout according to claim 33, wherein theguide body comprises three tabs angularly equally spaced.
 35. A spoutaccording to claim 21, wherein the obturator device comprises anabutment member which provides abutment for the elastic member.
 36. Aspout according to claim 35, wherein the abutment member comprises aplurality of safety projections, radially protruding outwards, suitableto lock the abutment member inside the tube.
 37. A spout according toclaim 21, wherein the valve comprises a retainer for retaining theobturator device inside the tube.
 38. A spout according to claim 21,wherein the obturator device comprises an abutment member which providesan abutment for the elastic member, wherein the abutment membercomprises a plurality of safety projections, radially protrudingoutwards, suitable to lock the abutment member inside the tube, whereinthe retainer comprises an annular projection suitable to generate anundercut for the abutment member for the snap-wise engagement of theobturator device in the tube.
 39. A spout according to claim 21, whereinthe obturator device is made in a single piece by molding in a plasticmaterial.
 40. A pouch-spout assembly comprising: a flexible pouchconsisting of two films of a multi-layer material, bonded along theedges, and a spout joined to the pouch by bonding, wherein the spout hasan opening for the exit of contents and an inlet for the inlet of thecontents from the pouch, the spout comprising: A) a tube extending alonga longitudinal axis and provided with the opening; B) a valve housed inthe tube and suitable to prevent exit of the contents when an actionacting on the valve is lower than a predetermined resisting action andto allow the exit of the contents when the action acting on the valve isgreater than a predetermined resisting action, wherein the valvecomprises: i) a through obturator housing which forms in the tube anupward line accessible through the inlet and a downward line providedwith the opening, and ii) an obturator device comprising a translatableobturator, engageable with the obturator housing, and an elastic membersuitable to operate permanently on the obturator to keep the obturatorin a closing position of the obturator housing by a closing action. 41.A method for preparation to sell of a pouch-spout assembly, comprisingthe steps of: providing an assembly comprising a flexible pouch and aspout joined to the pouch and free of a valve; filling the assembly witha food liquid through the spout; snap-wise applying an obturator deviceto the spout, inside a tube of the spout; applying a cap to the spout.